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25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rock, not country, November 5, 2001
Sharleen Spiteri, the lead singer of Scottish band Texas, has said in interviews that she regrets the name of the band. That if she could go back and change it, she would. The name of the band IS very confusing for Americans, who assume that the band is country. And yes, Texas cleverly pays homage to this with steel guitars in a few of their songs. But the band is not a country band. It is a sophisticated pop-rock sound that has lush melodies and makes the most of the lead singer's smokey voice.The song 'I Don't Want a Lover' incredibly went to Number 1 twice on the UK charts. The feat was even greater due to the fact that there was a 10 year span between the first and the second ride to the number 1 spot and they had not changed a thing! It was not a remix. This was actually a UK record I highly recommend this album to anyone who loves strong female vocals. I find myself listening to the album all the time.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I gave this album 5 stars before I heard it. I was right., March 26, 2001
Ooh, I've reviewed their two previous albums and given each of them glowing reviews & 5 stars ratings. Wonder what I'll give this one? Yeah, just in case you hadn't noticed, I'm biased. It's foolish to suggest I'm not. I am a Texanite. I am in love with Sharleen. I hate Rickman for even getting close to her (watch the video for In Demand to see why). So reviewing this album is like deciding whether water was a good invention. In short...yes, Yes and YES!!!If you've never heard Texas before then consider this album you're new education in the ways of genius. If by So in Love With You you haven't been wondering why you've never heard of them before then you're either A: American or B: Stupid. There's no doubt that the album has been made to help them crack America (they've admitted as much) but who's complaining. This is Texas gold. It's them removed of the slack that occasionally gets into any album, no matter the artist. And Texas without slack is truly a thing to behold. I can't begin to describe the majesty on display here. The Motown cool of Black Eyed Boy. The chilling beauty of Put Your Arms Around Me. The bluesy rock of I Don't Need A Lover. The sheer driving power of Halo. The quiet longing of Say What You Want. STOP!!! Stop before you recite the track listing! Calm down! Breathe. That's better. I was saying...show me a bad track. Point it out to me. Tell me where Sharleen's voice falters. Where Ally's guitar work is wrong. Where the lyrics are banal pap. You can't, can you. That's because they don't. These are classic tracks most would sell their mothers for. And then there's the new material. Wow. If this is an indication of where the new album is going I'd like to pre-order it now thank you very much. In Demand is a wonderful, summery track, Guitar Song makes seduction an art-form and Inner Smile...well it's potentially the best song on the album (and that's saying an awful lot!) Pop is a difficult genre to achieve at the moment..... Texas hit it note-perfect, every time, without seeming to break a sweat. If anything they're getting better which is a thought as scary as it is wonderful. The only possible bone of contention I could have with it is of course the one thing that always creates an argument with fans and Best Of's: the track selection. Where is Breathless? Where is Listen To Me? Most of all, WHERE IS SAINT?!!! C'mon, there's enough space left on the 2nd disc to fit them on (I know I've calculated it). Plus, there is nothing from their second album Mothers Heaven. Of course this isn't a Best Of. It's a Greatest Hits. Which means any song not released as a single ain't up for consideration (grumble, gripe, moan) but that's a minor matter. Like being served a delicious fruit salad containing 50 different varieties and complaining because there's no strawberries. In a word: pointless. If you like Texas then I'm already preaching to the converted. If you like Boyzone & Britney take your first steps to adulthood and buy this. If you like Radiohead & The Smashing Pumpkins, listen to this in a lighter moment. If you like Heavy Metal...well, just put it on when no-ones watching. Whatever, just listen and enjoy and be happy. This album is exactly what I thought it would be: Perfect.
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21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Songs From A Classic Band, February 19, 2004
Texas are easily Scotland's finest band, and with frontwoman Sharleen Spiteri on vocals it's not hard to see why. Their unique blend of pop rock has seen them stay ahead of the game for more than 15 years now, half of which have been spent in the limelight of the charts, establishing them amongst the multi-million selling album elite. 1997's "White On Blonde" was the album that broke them into the mainstream and spawned five UK Top 10 smash hits. 1999's "The Hush" followed this up in grand style with more overwhelming sales and critical praise.So as 2000 drew to a close Texas decided to release "The Greatest Hits," an essential collection of their finest work from the last 11 years. The album was marketed as essential indeed, and the British public seemed to agree; The Greatest Hits became a multi-million selling No.1 smash hit collection over the Christmas period in 2000 in the UK, even managing to knock the Beatles' "1" from the top spot! What this collection provides (apart from some of the best mature pop songs from the past fifteen years) is proof undeniable the power of Texas and their staying power - believe me when I say they'll be around for years to come. "I Don't Want A Lover," the band's first ever single starts off the collection in fine form. The country-tinged rock anthem was a Top 10 hit for the band back in 1989 and was their first and last for 8 years! "In Demand" was a new song recorded especially for this album, and the result is one of Texas' most popular songs to date. The song is a mid-tempo classic with a real sing-a-long chorus. "Say What You Want" is perhaps the most popular Texas song to date, and it's not hard to see why. The first single to be taken from White On Blonde, this pop classic became a huge radio hit and stormed the Top 3 in the UK. Sharleen's vocals are particularly impressive here on a song that is known by almost everyone in Britain. "Summer Son" is a rock-tinged classic track from the band, lifted from their album The Hush. This song is amazing and the chimes on it just sizzle in the summer heat. "Inner Smile" was another massive hit for the band, especially all over Europe as 2001 dawned. The Elvis-inspired video worked perfectly with this superb song which is undeniably catchy and features some awesome vocal talent from Sharleen. "So In Love With You" was a song that Texas released before they were imbedded into the public's consciousness, so it's not a very popular song yet the anthemic ballad-style makes it a great track. "Black Eyed Boy" is a superb and feel-good rock pop anthem that radio stations seemed to spin every two minutes back in 1997. The song was a UK Top 5 hit and made the band more acceptable to a wider audience. "So Called Friend" and "Everyday Now" are two songs from the band before they really hit the big time, which aren't really very good. They can't really stand up to the other songs on offer here. "In Our Lifetime" is another classic Texas track which made it into the UK Top 5 in 1999 and was the first single to be taken from The Hush album. Brilliant and shimmery beats work perfectly with this typical Texas track. "Halo" is one of the band's finest moments. Released in 1997 this is yet another brilliant classic track from Sharleen and Co. The vocals on display here are incredible and the beat is just so cultural and feel-good. "Guitar Song" is one of the more diverse offers on display here. The beat is light and bouncy and the vocals are very observational, something different for Texas who usually talk of the past or present, yet not at that very minute. "Prayer For You" is another song released before the band hit the big time, and evidently isn't up to much, but it's still good to have it here on this greatest hits collection. "When We Are Together" was a Top 20 hit for the band in the UK back in the fall of 1999 and the final single to be released from The Hush. The song has a traditional pop feel to it with some fantastic lyrics and vocal arrangements. "Insane" for me is arguably the band's finest moment to date. This song was the final single to be taken from White On Blonde and hit the UK Top 5 in 1998. The beat here is soft, mysterious and subdued and Sharleen's vocals complement this. The song is just an awesome masterpiece and I never tire of listening to it! "Tired Of Being Alone" is a country-tinged pop song that was released back in 1992 and features some great vocals and has a dreamy kind of feel to it. "Put Your Arms Around Me" is, essentially, the true Texas ballad. This song defines their love song style in just over four minutes of pure emotional bliss and power. The vocals here are amazing and the lyrics are just exceptional. "Say What You Want (All Day Every Day) Texas Featuring Method Man & The RZA" closes this album in fine style. This song was the other song on the Double A-Side of Insane. This version of the Texas classic was performed live at the 1998 Brit Awards. The audience went wild and with good reason! Ah, memories! OVERALL GRADE: 10/10 For all those interested in Texas, The Greatest Hits is the true place to start. I knew who Texas were from back in 1997 when they really broke, but I never thought of buying one of their albums until this album was released. I bought this for Christmas 2000 and haven't looked back since. The musical genius on display here is overwhelming to say the least, and it led me to buy three other Texas albums which I highly recommend - "White On Blonde," "The Hush" and "Careful What You Wish For." Sharleen Spiteri is truly one of the coolest of women in the known rock world, and her style is just incredibly refreshing and up to date! Buy this now to discover a band that will stick around for longer than you might have initially expected.
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